So I realize more and more how far behind I am especially as I realize my last post was just before Halloween. So much has happened and the kids have grown so much. I will try and catch up in order :) ...
December...
Brenden turned four, and we had a wonderful Christmas holiday with our families. This year was our very first year having our own little Christmas at our own little home. In the past we have flown in from Virginia and so it was fun to have Christmas decorations and our very first Christmas tree. Santa did a Polar Express theme where we received a train, the movie, marshmallows and hot chocolate. The kids absolutely loved it!!
January
Family trip to St. George!!!
February
Mid February we headed up to Canada with some of the Toone family. We left Anilyssa home with my parents because it was an 18 hour drive (one way) and we left Friday night and got home on Monday. The boys did amazing, and we loved seeing where Matt was born and spent a lot of his childhood. The average temperature was -35 degrees and I learned for my first time that they have actual car heaters so that you can have the reassurance that your engine will night freeze over night and will start the next day.
It was a wonderful trip, and always wonderful to spend time with family.
The boys adore their Dad, and this is a frequent view in our home...they have to be right next to Dad and do what he does and wear what he wears. It was fun to share in Anny's first Canada experience as well.
The house on the left is where Matt was first brought home from the hospital when he was born in Witaskiwin. Later they moved to the house to the right.
This is bigfoot!!!! Ok, it is Matt searching for his aunt Ellen's grave. It was bitter cold hitting a
-35 degrees without wind chill. The funny thing was that all of the Toone family was commenting how warm it was starting to feel. :) The picture to the right is the Clairshome dugout where the Toone family began their farm. They lived there until they were able to build their beautiful home.
The boys did great on the long drive, and never complained once. This is a picture at Uncle Don's Mothers funeral.
On the way home we stopped into a nice hotel that had a fun swimming pool and water slide. I think the most memorable experience is that early in the morning (thankfully it was only 7:00am) someone in the hotel burned a piece of toast causing all the alarms to go off, all the residence to get up, and the fire department came - which they were a little upset wondering why we were all still inside. :) (It was windy and bitter cold - no one dared go outside even if there was a fire)
March
Steve and Lindsey tied the knot!!! Congrats!!
The picture to the right is an indication of the near future :). What cute nieces and nephews.
WE ARE PREGNANT!!! We are excited to announce that we are expecting a new addition right around Brenden's birthday (Dec. 15th). Our due date is the 21st, but given the history with Anilyssa's speedy arrival the doctor is scheduling an induction the week before. We are excited, and can't believe how our family is growing. We feel so blessed for each child we have been given.
Anilyssa is one!! Wow, where did that go??
Other Fun pictures and memories we would like to share are...
Anilyssa is my little busy body. One of her favorite things is emptying the drawers in the kitchen. She has taken a couple of steps on her own, and we think she will be walking within the next week or so.
Church has been changed to 1:00. This is what happens when you practice being reverent after a not so reverent day in sacrament meeting. The kids have come so far with just having Mom sitting with them. It is nice when they need a look from Dad on the stand. The only thing that doesn't help is when I am trying to get three wiggly kids to sit still then I look up at Matt and he is smiling, all my disciplining and flustered feelings fly out the window.
Our three crazy kids who love doing everything together. If I take to long getting into Anilyssa's room after she wakes up this is what I usually find.
We got to fly out to Wisconsin, and enjoy a wonderful weekend with Matt and Amie in celebration of Matt graduating from Dental School. Way to go you guys!!
Wanting to be just like Dad - Matt came home from work one night and when Brenden realized he had everything that Matt was wearing he ran to his room and changed so he could look just like Dad.
Scene at the dinner table every night. They sit as close to Dad as possible. The boys literally have to be touching Matt and having a conversation with him the entire time we are eating. It is so cute. Mom and Anilyssa sit on the other end of the table :)
A trip to the dinosaur museum...The boys loved it, and were excited to see so many dinosaurs.
A few months ago Nathan potty trained himself. He had a day of accidents, but has been good ever since. I can't believe he will be three next month.
Here is our T-ball Man!! Brenden is a great athlete and is so quick at grasping the concept of sports.
Working hard in the outfield. :) His favorite thing to do is play first base and catcher. Every game he has to wear the catchers helmet at least once.
